Jair

Technical Profile

• Name Meaning: From Hebrew yā’îr (יָאִיר), “he enlightens/causes to shine.”
• Period/Era: Divided Kingdom (Judges period)
• Main References: Judges 10:3–5
• Key Connections: Gilead (Transjordan region); his thirty sons associated with the towns called Havvoth-jair.

Who was Jair?

Jair was a judge who “arose” after Tola and led Israel for twenty-two years.
He is identified as “the Gileadite,” linking him to the Transjordan region.
Judges highlights his household and local influence through his sons and their towns.

Key Events & Achievements

• Event 1: Served as judge over Israel for twenty-two years (Judges 10:3).
• Event 2: Had thirty sons who rode on thirty donkeys, reflecting status and regional administration (Judges 10:4).
• Event 3: His sons were associated with thirty cities called Havvoth-jair in Gilead (Judges 10:4).

Life Lesson & Legacy

Jair’s account shows how leadership in Israel’s judges era could be tied to regional stability and family-based governance.

Key Verse

"He had thirty sons, who rode on thirty donkeys. They controlled thirty towns in Gilead, which to this day are called Havvoth Jair." — Judges 10:4, NIV